초록 ▼

In a zirconium-alloy fuel element cladding, a method for generating regions of coarse and fine intermetallic precipitates across the cladding wall is provided. The method includes steps of specific heat treatments and anneals that coarsen precipitates in the bulk of the cladding. The method also inc

In a zirconium-alloy fuel element cladding, a method for generating regions of coarse and fine intermetallic precipitates across the cladding wall is provided. The method includes steps of specific heat treatments and anneals that coarsen precipitates in the bulk of the cladding. The method also includes at least one step in which an outer region (exterior) of the cladding is heated to the beta or alpha plus beta phase, while an inner region (interior) is maintained at a temperature at which little or no metallurgical change occurs. This method produces a composite cladding in which the outer region comprises fine precipitates and the inner region comprises coarse precipitates.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of forming a barrier containing tube said method comprising the steps of: (a) beta quenching a zirconium alloy billet; (b) performing a coarsening anneal on the billet at between about 650°C. and 800°C. for between about 1 and 100 hours; (c) converting the billet into a zirconium alloy tube

A method of forming a barrier containing tube said method comprising the steps of: (a) beta quenching a zirconium alloy billet; (b) performing a coarsening anneal on the billet at between about 650°C. and 800°C. for between about 1 and 100 hours; (c) converting the billet into a zirconium alloy tube; (d) coextruding the zirconium alloy tube with a zirconium metal tube to form a barrier containing tube; (e) conducting a cold work step; (f) selectively heat treating an outer region of the barrier containing tube by first heating the outer region to the alpha plus beta region while cooling an inner region of the barrier containing tube and then rapidly quenching the outer region.